The Officer Donald M. Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund

The Officer Donald M. Burke Memorial Scholarship Fund

Donald Martin Burke was hired by the Hoquiam Police Department on November 18th, 1977. On Wednesday, April 16th, 1980 at about 5:15 pm, what started as a “routine traffic stop” ended in tragedy when Officer Burke was killed after a short pursuit of a car carrying 2 career criminals.

Officer Burke’s memory has stayed alive throughout the years, as each spring The Aberdeen Daily World presents The Donald M. Burke Memorial Award to a Twin Harbors officer who exemplifies professionalism, courage and community service. His memory also lives on through this scholarship fund, which is established in his honor to help the children and relatives of local law enforcement officers to continue their under-graduate, graduate, and post-graduate studies.